Iagos manipulation

English 201
March 15, 2014 Iago’s Manipulation
Granted the play is named Othello, but it is the character of Iago that progresses the action within this play, Iago, the antagonist and his negative character traits transpire throughout the play. Iago is the master of manipulation who maliciously plotted to ruin several of the character’s lives. All of the major characters become pawns and eventually victims of Iago’s treacherous plot. Many characters were receptive to being manipulated by Iago but I will focus on his control of Othello and Rodrigo.
Iago is a clever character who utilizes his calculated precision to manipulate others. He is charismatic, crafty, articulate and very talented in improvising, and always has a clear feeling for perfect timing. He can identify other people's strengths and weaknesses. Knowing the weaknesses of those around him, while still being able to keep his real intentions hidden, certainly helped to preserve his reputation of being a honest man. The most important talent he has is definitely his acting ability Iago is the perfect actor. There are many moments he is believably able to pretend to be compassionate and loyal.

Iago successfully manipulates Rodrigo for his personal gain. Rodrigo is Venetian gentleman who is young, rich and foolishly in love with Desdemona. He will do anything to be Desdemona's suitor including paying Iago large amounts of money for some frivolous reason. Rodrigo's love for Desdemona is his weakness. He expresses this weakness when he says, "it is silliness to live when to live is torment", meaning he is stricken by love (Act 1, scene 3, line 308). Rodrigo’s passion for Desdemona blinds his reasoning. Iago being the master of manipulation exploits Rodrigo by uses Rodrigo’s desires and emotion for his revenge on Othello. Iago gains an partner to help carry out his plans for Othello, by dishonestly assuring Rodrigo that he will in turn help Desdemona love him. “Thou art sure of me. Go make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the moor. My cause is hearted: thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him” (Act 1, scene 3, lines 360-363). In this quote, Iago is urging Roderigo to side with him and destroy their mutual enemy, Othello. Iago is saying the only thing he cares about is helping him win Desdemona’s heart, in exchange he wants monetary compensation. Rodrigo is further exploited when he is talked into going to Cyrus, then used as a pawn to provoke Michael Cassio. Rodrigo consents to picks a fight with Cassio which lead to Cassio’s demotion. His desire for Desdemona makes him vulnerable and easy to be manipulated. At the end of his manipulated altercation with Cassio, Rodrigo is left wounded and broke and still unwanted by Desdemona. Meanwhile, Iago successfully achieves his wicked goals of eliminating Cassio.
Iago manipulates Othello by using his passion for Desdemona and his military background. Despite his military status, Othello is an easy target. This is because of his insecurities. Othello is an outsider who is intelligent and confident in military matters but is socially insecure. Many characters in the play do not shy away from making occasional racist remarks towards Othello a black man. Although subtle, being degraded made Othello believe he is racially inferior. Due to his cultural difference Othello is prone to be jealous and is afraid that Desdemona will desire a white Venetian gentleman. Iago realizes Othello’s jealously when he states "he is too familiar with his wife." Iago uses his fear of losing his wife to convince him that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Othello becomes enraged when Iago talks about an affair but later trusts Iago because he is honest and always portrays the role of a moral and loyal friend with noble advice. It becomes obvious how Iago is able to use other people’s suspicions and thoughts against themselves when he makes Othello believe that his lieutenant, Michael Cassio, talked about Desdemona in a sexually suggestive way when he is actually was talking about Bianca and his sexual relationship.
Although Othello and Rodrigo both share the same passion for Desdemona they both have their own unique weakness. Iago serves as a cunning manipulator. Once he learns the men’s weaknesses while acting as a loyal friend, Iago can successfully ruin the men. Iago is able to contribute to the others downfalls, because due to their individual faults they are blinded and consequently easy to be manipulated. He utilizes his skills on the naïve Roderigo and plays upon Othello’s fears all to fulfill his vengeance.